Samuel Mason – Sci-Fi Dreams, and the Power of Passion Projects

Hailey Lachman
May 25
3 min read

Updated: May 25

Hailing from a small village in the North West of England, Samuel Mason is proving that passion, collaboration, and a little resourcefulness can take you far. An award-winning director and producer of music videos and short films, Samuel is also the producer of Studio Tempest and a student of Film Production & Cinematography at Bournemouth University. With a love for bold visual storytelling and a dream of directing a feature in Brazil, he's already building a path to leave a lasting mark on the film world.

Discovering Filmmaking Through Nostalgia and Curiosity

Samuel's journey began with a childhood viewing of Back to the Future, thanks to his dad. That film sparked an obsession with storytelling and visuals. He started small—making stop-motion animations on his Nintendo 3DS with his brother—and saved up to buy his first camera. In a village where there were "more sheep than people," Samuel and his friends created their own opportunities, producing short films and documentaries out of pure necessity and love for the craft.

His college application project, a short film titled PANDEMIC, impressed his lecturers and set him on the path toward formal training in film. Later, he earned his first directing award for David Kays' music video Fade to Black.

Inspirations: From Bong Joon Ho to 12 Angry Men

Samuel cites director Bong Joon Ho as a key influence, especially his "mathematical approach" to filmmaking, which is a method that resonates with Samuel's own attention to visual storytelling. He also admires 12 Angry Men for showing how powerful low-budget, single-location films can be. "To tell a sophisticated, character-driven story that looks amazing is what young filmmakers must master," he says.

Landing Nowhere: Sci-Fi in a Sea of Mist

His upcoming project, Landing Nowhere, is a sci-fi film set in Morecambe Bay, a moody, misty locale so cinematic it was nearly chosen by Christopher Nolan for Interstellar. While considered too dangerous for Nolan's crew, Samuel and his team received the green light thanks to support from Bay Search & Rescue.

The story follows two astronauts stranded on an alien planet after a crash. Their mission is to repopulate humanity after Earth's destruction using survival pods. But as they clash over duty and philosophy, the younger astronaut must decide whether to revive humanity or let it fade in order to protect the untouched beauty of the new world.

On-Set Memories: Dogs and Door Transitions

While filming Clarity, Samuel's dog served as a key scene partner, but keeping her focused was a challenge. One emotional scene was disrupted by her loud snoring, which shocked the sound mixer and left everyone laughing.

In the music video Fade to Black, Samuel experimented with a bold door transition that required coordinated crew effort and VFX support. It was risky, but paid off. "I knew the outcome could be amazing, but it also might not work. That nervous energy is important," he reflects.

The Heart of Filmmaking: Collaboration and Casting

For Samuel, casting is everything. "Even if a film looks visually bad, if you have a character who feels real, that's a film." Initially set to work with actor David Kirkbride, the team pivoted due to scheduling conflicts and cast Sol Taibi, whose creativity and passion have only elevated the project.

He's also built a tight-knit creative community, including fellow filmmaker Stuart Armstrong. Together, they run a group chat uniting rural filmmakers—from BAFTA nominees to production assistants. Their mission is to keep the North of England's creative spark alive.

Changing Perspectives Through Film

Samuel's filmmaking philosophy centers on emotional impact. "I want the audience to have the perfect balance of answers and questions. I want them to feel like they’ve been pulled into another world… so that when they return to reality, even a small part of their perspective has changed."

Advice to New Filmmakers: Be Bold, Stay Grounded

Samuel's advice is clear: find your people and don’t let them go. Experiment, take risks, and don’t wait for the perfect conditions. "We can't let our young creative passion burn out," he says. His dream is to build a studio beside a lake in the Lake District—a place where imagination and community thrive.